British Royal Family Attends Christmas Day Service

Duchess of Cambridge joins Royal Family for the Christmas Service the first time.

Rugby star Mike Tindall present.

For the sake of the holidays, the Royal Family cheers up, after allthey have the reason, thanks to Prince Philip's recovery.

The
Royal Family celebrated Christmas Day service at Sandringham,
their Norfolk estate that serves as their Christmas retreat every
year. Meanwhile, the Duke of Edinburgh's conditions progresses as he
recovers at hospital in Cambridgeshire. This is the first time that
the Queen with the Royal Family celebrates Christmas without Prince
Philip.

In
his sermon, Sandringham's rector, the Rev. Jonathan Riviere asked the
congregation to join him in a prayer for the Duke of Edinburgh's
speedy recovery.

"We
pray for the Queen and the Royal Family, especially today we pray for
Prince Philip and his continued recovery,” he said.

Hundreds
of people flocked at the gates to see the Queen and her family,
including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as well as Zara Phillips
and husband Mike Tindall, as they go to the royal estate's church.

England
rugby player Mike Tindall and the Queen's granddaughter Zara
Phillips, who wedded last summer, were present at service.

Sandringham
is the royal family's official residence for Christmas. Philip
normally treads the few hundred yards from the main house to the
church and since the Queen's ascension had never missed a Christmas
Day service.

Well-wishers
called out with questions about the Duke, but members of the family
did not respond.

The
royals traditionally gather at Sandringham for Christmas. Prince
Philip normally walks the few hundred yards from the main house to
the church and is not thought to have missed a Christmas Day service
before.

Although
the crowd repeatedly asked questions about the Duke, members of the
family did not make any response.

This
is the first time that the Duchess of Cambridge spends Christmas as a
member of the Royal Family after her highly publicized wedding to
Prince William, now the Duke of Cambridge, in April.

Prince Andrew, Prince Charles and Camilla (L-R) lead the royal family on their way to the church service.

The Duchess of Cambridge warmly accepts some flowers from a girl.

The Queen receives a bouquet of flowers from well-wishers after the Christmas Day Service.

The Duke of Cambridge escorts her lovely wife, the smiling Duchess.

Prince Harry beams while meeting the cheering crowds.

The Duchess of Cambridge receives a lovely rose from one of the crowds.

Zarah Phillips attends the Christmas service with husband Mike Tindall.

Princess Beatrice in her smart look, wearing brown hat and coat, with a clutch bag at hand.

Rugby player Mike Tindall joins the Royal Family's Christmas Day Service.

The Royal Family on their way to church.

The Duke of York is very merrily warm despite the cold Christmas morning.

Princess Anne is kept warm with all the wrap for Christmas Day Service.